A Beer, A Laptop And A Waste Of Time

Just cracked open a beer, grabbed the laptop and went up to the bedroom to start doing some research for an interview I need to get together. Or, I might just take a nap. Those were my two options when I walked up the stairs; apparently there was another I hadn't counted on...writing a blog post.

I didn't sleep well last night, so that could account for why a nap seems so appealing right now. Or, it could be the hour and a half of weeding in the humid morning air. Followed by laundry, vacuuming, wiping down the interior and cleaning the windows of the car.

A thunderstorm stopped me from actually washing the car... which was fine by me. At least the wind and rain has cooled everything down for the time being. If the sun decides to reappear, it will get real ugly, real fast.

I have been procrastinating on the research. The timing which will work the best for the artist is closer to when her new CD drops in September. This is always a problem for me as I always work best under pressure. Too much time, means I will take most of it, then do what I always did in school...cram. Unfortunately, sometimes it also means I have too many irons in the fire at the same time and bam...worlds collide. Then it's time to juggle.

Since I've been writing this, a nap seems less likely. Which means it's time to start my research.  Did I mention, I hate doing research. Writing off the top of your head is so much easier and so much more fun.  But every once in a while that thing called discipline needs to kick in. Looks like today is the day for me.

Unless it dries out a little outside, then a walk around the lake is a possibility. Then, maybe a nap. What I need is an intern to do the research, then I could swoop in like Superwoman, take all the info and write the greatest interview of all time.

Then take a nap

Who The Hell Is This Higgs Anyway?

When I was young, I loved looking at the stars. Not unusual I know, but at one point I even thought about a career in astronomy.  That brief desire lasted until I realized just how... scientific astronomy is. It's physics and mathematics and some other stuff that probably ends with ics as well. Around 3rd grade is about when I realized I was better at the English language than I was with any subject dealing with adding, subtracting or theorizing.

Over the years, I would try to watch these scientific programs on the Discovery channel about the formation of the universe. Fascinating... for the first five minutes until my eyes would glaze over. Now, I consider myself to be somewhat intelligent (let's not bicker about exactly to what degree) and try as I might, I cannot understand what the hell they are talking about. For the longest time, I thought it was just me. Then I started asking friends who were watching these shows with me. "Interesting isn't it," I would ask. "Yes" they would always answer. But when I asked if they understood what they had just watched...aha, the answer would usually be "well, not really."  The defense rests.

Which brings me to today. Several times during the day I have heard the name Higgs Boson. Now I was pretty busy all day and I just assumed something had occurred and this was a person involved in an event. Out of the loop...it happens to me all the time. Then the name started showing up in twitter jokes, and it was trending on twitter. Think it might be time to google it.

According to Wikipedia...

"The Higgs boson is an elementary particle within the Standard Model of particle physics. It belongs to a class of particles known as bosons. On July 4, 2012, CERN announced the formal confirmation that a particle "consistent with the Higgs boson" exists, since its signature was detected in the data with a very small probability of 0.00003% (five sigma) of being produced by random fluctuations; however, particle physicists still need to verify that it is indeed the expected boson and not some other, possibly undiscovered, particle."

Well alright then. I definitely found out what the definition means. 

It means I am on a need to know basis, and I am definitely not geeky enough to need to know. Chalk it up to genetics, too many years out of the educational system or to all those brain cells I destroyed prematurely. Whatever the reason, there is no way I will ever understand what this Higgs boson thing is, or what it means to the world. And frankly, I really don't care.

Now, I did what a journalist should do, I researched. Yes I know I only looked at the Wiki definition...not exactly research. But just like Clint said "you have to know your limitations." I know mine and when the first sentence of the definition has my head spinning, well no need to dig any deeper.

Curiosity satisfied, I can now ignore all tweets and emails about Higgs. And I'll be laughing when I hear discussions about how important a discovery this is...blah, blah, blah. I may just feel the need to stick my two cents in and ask, "But do you understand it?"

Don't think it will be my eyes glazing over this time.

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Cooking With Kat: Cook Today, Eat All Week

I like to cook. I just don't like to cook during the week. Even though I work at home, I hate walking away from my computer to do any cooking during the week. So, time permitting I try to get a few dishes prepared on the weekend. Leftovers...the gift that keeps on giving.

Some people hate leftovers...my brother is one. Like feeding him something that the dog threw up. Some meals taste better after they have sat a day or so and the flavors blend...some don't taste quite as good. Luck of the draw, but if I don't need to stand in front of the stove M-F...I'm all in.

Last weekend was the big road trip, so no cooking. Pizza, take out and something already cooked from the freezer got me through. So yesterday, the corned beef that didn't get cooked for St. Patty's was on the menu. Enough for an extra meal during the week, as well as a meal-on-wheels to my parents. nice.

Today,with tunes inspiring me, already rockin' some breaded boneless chicken thighs in the oven, some veggies, and just finished sauteing some peppers and onions to go with the chicken pieces now browning. Add a little fresh tomato sauce...yeah baby, eating good all week.

Besides food, got a lot cooking this week. Heavy research, lots of correspondence to get through and as always, hanging out in tweetville.

Feeling good about the next few days. Will I have six numbers in the Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday...probably not. But I will have had a decent weekend in the rear view mirror...and some food on the table. Throw on some music, add a glass of wine and a quiet night at home..it makes it all worthwhile.

Six numbers would make it epic. Just saying.

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One Drink Too Many or Not Enough

Apparently there is a new study out which has determined that women who drink moderately have a lower chance of stroke than women who do not drink. Hearing this new report didn't cause me to jump up and down, though I do admit my feet started tapping right away. But as always when they give a report like this...the other shoe has to drop.

Define moderately. Well, it seems the definition of light to moderate drinking is one drink a day. Huh? In what bar did these people take up residence. Moderate drinking means one drink...one? In each hand...no. One, numero uno, flying solo, a lonely glass of your preferred beverage. So much for the good news. The bad news is there is the opposite effect when you drink more than one. uh oh.

And they know this how? See this is where I start taking all these studies with a grain of...barley. I never understood how they can push aside all other factors of genetics, lifestyle choices, area of residence and so on, and tell me as fact that if I have two drinks tonight, someone's gonna find me on the floor in the morning. It's too convenient if you ask me.

Now there are certain studies I do believe in. Like the one about chocolate being a life force...that I could have told them without wasting millions of dollars.  But if your gonna talk to me about bacon or booze, you better come at me with more than a one is good, two will kill me approach.

All this talk has made me thirsty. Gonna grab a second beer. If you don't see another post tomorrow...maybe that study was right.

Or maybe I'm just a little hungover.
Cheers.

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